More than half of US consumers who’ve made a purchase on their smartphone have done so in response to a mobile marketing message. Analysts forecast smartphone sales will surpass 1 billion by the end of 2016. China hit around 986.3 million mobile connections in December 2012. In the UK, mobile marketing is a multi-billion pound industry. Obviously, the way consumers are interacting with brands and connecting to the world is evolving. If phrases such as location based marketing, mobile payments, QR codes, applications, mobile coupons and social networks almost cause you an anxiety attack, this class is for you. Increase your understanding of the mobile experience, especially smartphones and how you can leverage their capabilities to retain current customers and gain new ones.

Online learning is a fun, enjoyable and very productive way to learn. Millions of people are learning online each year. You will engage with the instructor and other participants. You will get to know your instructor and other participants. You may make friends. It’s easy. It’s fun.

How the Course Works

It is easy to participate in your online course. After you register, you will be given a web address to go to get into your online classroom. You will have a password and use your email address and password to gain access.

Once inside the online classroom, here’s what you can expect.

Participate when you want

You can participate any time of day or evening. The online classroom is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There are no live real-time requirements or meetings. You decide when you participate.
For the best learning, participants should log into the course on 2-3 different days of the week.

What you will do

For each Unit, you will:

Read the print readings (about 20 pages a week)

Have the option of accessing the online readings

Listen to the audio presentation for the Unit and view the slides

Have the option of taking a self-quiz to see how much you have learned

Engage in written online discussion with your instructor and other participants

For best learning, you should make one or more comments at 2-3 different times each week.
The content (readings, audio lectures, slides) and self quizzes are accessible for the entire course, so you can work ahead, or go back and review again, at your convenience.

Discussion

The Discussion for each Unit lasts one week. All comments are made in writing and can be made at any time of the day or night.

Your instructor will log into the Discussion area at least once a day and answer questions, make comments, and respond to comments by you and the other participants.

We encourage you to make 2-3 comments each week to maximize your learning and enjoyment of the course.

Simon Salt is CEO of Marketing Communications Agency IncSlingers. He is the Author of Social Location Marketing. A Blogger, Writer & Digital Strategist. He has been published online by Mashable, Read Write Web & others. He speaks internationally on the topic of Digital, Mobile and Social Marketing. He works with organizations as diverse as Fortune 500’s to Startups and Global PR agencies as both a strategic consultant and as an online brand advocate.

What some students say:

"The discussions were thought-provoking and relative to everyday encounters. Thanks for a great course!" - Kaira Gurnani